Priscilla and Geoff Dickie have today released a statement after an appeal date was set on Tuesday for their daughter’s killer and husband, Gerard Baden-Clay.
“On behalf of Allison’s loving family and friends, we are aware that an appeal date has been set for August 7 in the Queensland Court of Appeal,” said the couple in the statement.
“We have no comment to make on the matter other than we are waiting for the justice system to complete all relevant processes so we can move forward with our grieving and our lives.
“We still have a long road ahead of us coming to terms with this horrific crime. We would ask you all to respect our privacy during this difficult time. The family will be making no further comments on the matter.”
Baden-Clay is currently serving life in prison, with a non-parole of 15 years, after he was convicted of murder last year.
The appeal was lodged by Baden-Clay’s lawyers last year on the basis the judge made errors when dealing with the jury, and the conviction was unreasonable.
The former real estate agent is banned from contacting his three daughters, who cannot access their late mother’s life insurance until Baden-Clay has exhausted all attempts of appeal, revealed the Courier Mail in February.
Baden-Clay will be able to make a claim on Allison’s life insurance if his appeal is successful, according to the newspaper.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Tony Moynihan will take charge of the appeal, replacing senior Crown prosecuter Todd Fuller.
Gerard Baden-Clay will also change his legal representation to Barrister Michael Coply QC.
Michael Byrne QC represented the 44-year-old who was charged with murder in 2014 and is currently serving a life sentence at Wolston Correctional Centre.
His daughters are in the care of Allison’s parents, Priscilla and Geoff Dickie.
